Level 3 offender registers in Canby

A public meeting was held in Canby on Monday to notify, educate residents

November 20, 2013

CANBY - Representatives of the Minnesota Department of Corrections, Canby Police Department and the Yellow Medicine County Sheriff's Office held a public meeting to notify the residents of Canby a Level 3 Predatory Offender has registered in the community. More than 100 people were in attendance.

"It's unusual for Canby but not unusual for a lot of other areas," said Canby Police Chief Isaiah Keating. "The law requires we notify daycare providers, people in the area and hold these meetings. A well-informed community is a safe community."

"Vorce's criminal history includes assault and theft and crimes in which intoxicants played a role," said Mark Blivin, DOC community notification supervisor.

Vorce was convicted of criminal sexual conduct with female victims aged 13 and 14 in St. Louis County in 1996 and was placed on probation, according to Blivin. Vorce was known to his victims, Blivin said.

In 1999, Vorce was convicted of criminal sexual conduct with an 8-year-old victim known to Vorce through a relationship and sentenced to 86 months in prison. Vorce was released in January 2013, on conditions he have no contact with minors and keeps in touch with a supervisor.

Vorce was sent back to prison to complete his sentence after failing to keep contact with his supervisor. His sentence expired in July 2013. Vorce must register as a Level 3 high-risk predatory offender for 10 years and keep law enforcement up to date about his residence, employment and vehicles.

However, since Vorce's sentence is expired, there is no requirement not to associate with minors.

"He's free to go about the community," Blivin said. "If you see him doing something questionable, you'd probably like to let law enforcement know. People are not allowed to harass him or commit crimes against him. We have a pretty good record in Minnesota about being vigilant about it but not being vigilantes."

Blivin explained the background of the registration program begun in 1990. In 1997, the law required community notification meetings be held. Since 1990, re-offending rates of released offenders in the three years after release have declined to less than 3 percent.

And according to Blivin, if a registered offender commits an offense, even a minor one, the 10-year registration period can be reset.

Vorce's photo is available on the DOC website under "Level Three Predatory Offender Information," and registered offenders are required to keep photos current if their appearance changes.

"Two times a year, deputies check every registered predatory offender in the county to keep their picture and information current," said Yellow Medicine County Deputy Sheriff Casey Namken.